Chapter 509 Gaining Third Elder's Favor
With Pavilion Mistress Cui Lan's permission granted, Wang Jian turned to Zhi Xi and Chu Yang, a smile playing on his lips. "Well, it seems I have quite a busy schedule ahead of me," he remarked, a hint of excitement in his voice.
Zhi Xi beamed at Wang Jian's enthusiasm, her eyes sparkling with pride. "I have no doubt that you will impress the Third Elder with your insights," she said, her voice filled with admiration.
Chu Yang, however, remained silent, his expression unreadable. Deep down, he couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered within him. Despite his reservations, he couldn't deny the undeniable talent that Wang Jian possessed.
A few days later, the Third Elder of the Heavenly Jade Pavilion arrived at Wang Jian's residence, her graceful presence commanding attention. Wang Jian greeted her respectfully, eager to engage in their discussion on alchemy.
"Welcome, Third Elder," Wang Jian said with a warm smile. "I am honored by your visit."
The Third Elder returned the greeting with a nod, her expression guarded as she took her seat across from Wang Jian. "Let us not waste time," she said briskly. "Pavilion Mistress Cui Lan speaks highly of your alchemical talents. I am curious to see if you can live up to her praise."
Wang Jian's smile remained unwavering. "I am ready to demonstrate my abilities," he replied confidently. "Please, ask your question."
The Third Elder wasted no time. "Very well," she began, her tone challenging. "Tell me, Wang Jian, how would you go about synthesizing a Pill of Eternal Flame, a rare and potent elixir known for its ability to enhance spiritual cultivation?"
Wang Jian's brow furrowed in concentration as he considered the question. It was indeed a difficult task, one that required a deep understanding of alchemical principles. After a moment of thought, he began to outline his approach.
"To synthesize a Pill of Eternal Flame," Wang Jian began, his voice steady, "one must first gather the rare ingredients necessary for its creation. These include Phoenix Feathers, Fire Lotus Petals, and Essence of the Sunstone. These ingredients must be carefully purified and refined to extract their potent essence."
The Third Elder listened intently, her skepticism evident in her expression. "And then what?" she prompted, her eyes narrowing.
"Once the ingredients have been prepared," Wang Jian continued, "they must be combined in a precise sequence and subjected to intense heat in a specialized alchemical furnace. This process requires precise control of temperature and pressure to ensure the formation of the Pill of Eternal Flame."
The Third Elder nodded thoughtfully, impressed by Wang Jian's knowledge. "Very well," she conceded. "But what about the purification process? How would you ensure the removal of impurities from the ingredients?"
Wang Jian's smile widened slightly at the challenge. "Ah, purification is indeed a crucial step," he replied. "To remove impurities from the ingredients, one must employ a combination of spiritual purification techniques and alchemical distillation. This ensures that only the purest essence remains, enhancing the efficacy of the final product."
The Third Elder's expression softened slightly, a hint of respect in her gaze. "You speak with confidence, Wang Jian," she acknowledged. "But let us see if you can answer my next question."
With that, the Third Elder posed another challenging inquiry, this time delving into the intricacies of alchemical transmutation. Wang Jian listened intently, his mind racing as he formulated his response. And so, the exchange continued, question after question, as Wang Jian and the Third Elder engaged in a battle of wits and knowledge.
As the discussion between Wang Jian and the Third Elder continued, the atmosphere remained charged with intellectual curiosity and anticipation. It was Wang Jian's turn to pose a question, and he did so with a gleam of challenge in his eyes.
"Third Elder," Wang Jian began, his voice measured, "imagine a scenario where you are tasked with refining a Pill of Celestial Harmony, a rare elixir said to harmonize the body's spiritual energies and enhance cultivation. How would you approach the refinement process to ensure the pill's efficacy?"
The Third Elder's brows furrowed in concentration as she pondered Wang Jian's question. It was indeed a complex scenario, one that required careful consideration of alchemical principles.
"To refine a Pill of Celestial Harmony," the Third Elder began, her tone thoughtful, "one must first select the appropriate ingredients, such as Starlight Orchids, Lunar Dew, and Essence of the Void. These ingredients must be meticulously prepared and combined in a precise ratio to achieve the desired effects."
Wang Jian listened attentively, nodding in acknowledgment of the Third Elder's response. However, he sensed that there was more to the refinement process than what she had described.
"And then what?" Wang Jian prompted, his gaze steady. "How would you ensure that the spiritual energies within the pill are properly balanced and harmonized?"
The Third Elder hesitated for a moment, her expression thoughtful. "Ah, well," she began, her tone uncertain, "one would need to infuse the ingredients with spiritual energy during the refinement process, using techniques such as Elemental Fusion and Essence Convergence to achieve balance."
Wang Jian nodded, acknowledging the Third Elder's attempt to answer his question. However, he detected a flaw in her explanation, one that he couldn't ignore.
"Actually," Wang Jian interjected gently, "while infusing the ingredients with spiritual energy is indeed important, achieving balance and harmony within the pill requires more than just Elemental Fusion and Essence Convergence. One must also utilize techniques such as Soul Alignment and Celestial Attunement to ensure that the spiritual energies interact harmoniously."
The Third Elder's eyes widened in realization as she absorbed Wang Jian's correction. "Ah, I see," she murmured, her expression reflecting a mixture of surprise and admiration. "You are correct, Wang Jian. I had overlooked the importance of those techniques in achieving true harmony within the pill."
Wang Jian smiled modestly, his confidence unwavering. "It is all a matter of understanding the underlying principles," he replied.
With that, the discussion between Wang Jian and the Third Elder continued, each exchange serving to deepen their mutual respect and admiration for one another's knowledge and skill. And as the sun set on the horizon, they remained engrossed in their conversation, their voices blending harmoniously amidst the tranquil surroundings of the Heavenly Jade Pavilion.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the tranquil surroundings of the Heavenly Jade Pavilion, the discussion between Wang Jian and the Third Elder drew to a close. The Third Elder regarded Wang Jian with newfound respect, her admiration evident in her gaze.
"You have truly impressed me, Wang Jian," the Third Elder remarked, her voice tinged with admiration. "Your insights into the laws of alchemy are truly exceptional."
Wang Jian accepted the praise with a modest smile, his demeanor humble despite the accolades. "Thank you, Third Elder," he replied graciously. "It has been an honor to engage in this discussion with you."
The Third Elder's expression softened, her gaze lingering on Wang Jian with a hint of mischief. "You know," she whispered conspiratorially, leaning closer to him, "if you were to come to my Alchemy Tower, you would find many eager students eager to learn from a talented alchemist like yourself. And perhaps," she added with a playful smile, "you might even find some other... incentives to stay."
Wang Jian's smile faltered slightly as he considered the Third Elder's offer. Teaching at the Alchemy Tower would certainly be an opportunity to broaden his horizons and deepen his understanding of alchemical principles. However, he knew that his presence in the Heavenly Jade Pavilion was only temporary, and he couldn't make any long-term commitments without the approval of the elders.
"I appreciate your invitation, Third Elder," Wang Jian replied diplomatically. "However, I must inform you that my stay here in the Heavenly Jade Pavilion is only temporary. Pavilion Mistress Cui Lan has graciously allowed me to reside within the boundaries of the sect for the time being, but I cannot make any permanent arrangements without the approval of the elders."
The Third Elder's expression softened with understanding as she listened to Wang Jian's explanation. She could sense the sincerity in his words and respected his adherence to the rules of the sect.
"I understand," she replied, her tone sympathetic. "But rest assured, Wang Jian, I will do everything in my power to ensure that you are able to stay here permanently. I will gather support from my faction and work closely with Pavilion Mistress Cui Lan to sway the opinions of the elders. With our combined efforts, I am confident that we can achieve the two-thirds majority needed to make an exception for you."
Wang Jian's forced smile returned as he listened to the Third Elder's reassurances. He appreciated her efforts on his behalf but couldn't shake the feeling of uncertainty that lingered in the back of his mind.
"Thank you, Third Elder," Wang Jian replied, his voice tinged with gratitude. "I am grateful for your support, and I will await further developments with anticipation."
With that, the conversation between Wang Jian and the Third Elder drew to a close, and they parted ways with a renewed sense of purpose and determination.
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